Imran Khan’s Sisters Azma Khan and Noreen Niazi Released From Kot Lakhpat Jail

Lahore: Former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters, Azma Khan and Noreen Niazi, have been released from Kot Lakhpat Jail. Their lawyer, Rana Mudassar, confirmed the release to BBC Urdu.

According to the lawyer, the two sisters were freed after the government withdrew the order issued under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. They have since returned home. The third sister, Aleema Khan, remains in detention in jail.

All three sisters were taken into custody in September, when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was preparing a long march towards Islamabad. Aleema Khan was detained on 20 September, and Azma Khan and Noreen Niazi on 21 September, under the MPO Ordinance 1960. Detention was initially set at 30 days, and on 7 October it was extended by a further 30 days.

The order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Lahore cited reports from the police and the District Intelligence Branch. It said the sisters’ activities were harmful to law and order. Police accused them of involvement in the 9 May protests and road blockades, of inciting workers to damage state and public property, and of using social media and gatherings to mobilise workers again. Aleema Khan’s notification listed the same grounds.

The MPO law empowers the government to place in preventive custody individuals considered a threat to public safety or law and order. Detention cannot exceed six consecutive months, and judicial oversight is mandatory for any period beyond three months. An affected person can challenge the decision before the provincial government.